The Valley has been a big-league sports market for 19 years. We’ve been a NBA city for nearly five decades. But our list of homegrown athletes isn’t exactly a field of dreams.

We’ve spawned Phil Mickelson, one of the greatest golfers in history. Randall McDaniel, Darren Woodson and Terrell Suggs went on to become stars in the NFL. We’ve had a number of decorated Olympic athletes, from Misty Hyman to Henry Cejudo.

Bellinger was called up to the Dodgers in April, following an injury to Joc Pederson. He has 24 home runs in 57 games. He has a gorgeous swing that has already produced six games with multiple home runs.

The downside is obvious. The local product is fueling a Dodgers team that has now won 10 consecutive games. They are 41-13 with Bellinger in the lineup. And that’s a big problem for the Diamondbacks, who are off to the best start in franchise history and may never get a whiff of first place in the National League West.

But it’s good news for Valley pride, proof that an infant sports town is beginning to grow up, and growing some serious athletic talent.